The mother of Dean Fitzpatrick who was knifed to death by his stepfather has said his killing "could have been the other way around".

Audrey Mahon, whose daughter Amy Fitzpatrick vanished in Spain in 2008, has opened up about the stabbing which saw husband Dave Mahon locked up last year for Dean's manslaughter.

She remains devoted to her husband, and has now said that Dean could have accidentally killed Dave.

Speaking to the Irish Daily Star, she said: "At the end of the day, I know my son and I'm not blaming my son but it could have been very easily the other way round.

"It could have been really easily the other way, only for Davey, who is so diplomatic and can turn the situation around.

"I'm not saying he's the be-all and end-all, but it could have been the other way around, and my son would never, ever have been able to live with that, because he did love Dave and he loved me. He idolised me."